Entourage, Season One

First, one thing: I have not seen a single episode of Entourage beyond its first season (although that will change starting next week) and know little about what's coming, so this overview comes to you completely sans hindsight. From what I've heard Entourage improves a lot in its second and third seasons - but I'm only here to examine the first.

At eight episodes, this season is surprisingly short - which is a shame, since it's only in the last few episodes that it really starts to hit its stride. The pilot, "Entourage", is a mixed bag. It's a bit too slow and feels bloated. It has too much Turtle (easily the show's weakest character) and not enough Ari (more on that later). It's not very funny. However, it does suceed in laying out its simple yet enticing premise. And even though it underuses its best character, you still know he's the best character - and you're positively dying to see more of him. This makes for an underwhelming episode but in some ways a good pilot.

The slow and bloated feeling takes a few episodes to fade. "The Review" is an improvement, and cements the Vincent character as vain and easily deflated just as he should be. It may seem obvious, but I remain impressed that the show avoided the urge to make him more sympathetic and likeable. (Adrien Grenier is a naturally huggable actor anyway, so a bit of likeability seeps through the cracks.) "Talk Show" is the show's first successful leap into its 'backstage access' side, and it's a welcome one. Lets face it, Entourage isn't the kind of show that can rely solely on the strength of its lead characters. So instead we run into Luke Wilson, Sarah Silverman, Sara Foster and of course Jimmy Kimmel. Vince's romantic encouter with Foster is great stuff, mainly because it's so easy to believe that this could really happen in Hollywood.

"Date Night" is a somewhat forgettable episode, but the worries over Head On's box office success will appeal to any movie geek versed in such matters (such as myself). "The Script and the Sherpa" is when things really start looking up, with both the introduction of new script Queen's Boulevard and a hilarious cameo from Val Kilmer as a guru who supplies Vince and his crew with some much desired marijuna. His beard alone is pure genius.

Thankfully, from hereon in I can stop bitching. The last three episodes are fantastic, each one equally entertaining and packed with great one-liners and back and forths. The finale especially ("New York") is all the proof anyone should need of Entourage's long-running pedigree. Although the show's attempts at drama can feel forced, it is saved by the great chemistry between every member of its ensemble. No matter who it throws together, Entourage always works (the only combination I can't imagine is Ari and Turtle), a strength that even some all-time classic sitcoms never posessed. And the most effective dynamics - Vince and Eric, Eric and Ari - are reason enough to keep tuning in.

There are and always will be certain inherent flaws in Entourage. None of the characters are particularly likeable, and only Ari and (sometimes) Eric are truly compelling. Sadly, unless it were to undergo a full-on revamp, the show's structure will never allow as much Ari as viewers are dying for. This is especially true in season one; there's just never enough Ari to satisfy. In episodes where we 'enjoy' several testosterone pumped exchanges between Drama and Turtle but only one Ari-centric scene, it can get frustrating.

But hey, you get what you signed on for. Entourage isn't for everyone, but those who enjoy it will enjoy it every time, even in its lesser weeks. Still, if you ever feel your faith in emotional, engrossing or tightly scripted television slipping, be sure to put in a DVD of something really good. Something quality. Galactica, Veronica Mars, How I Met Your Mother...whatever keeps you sane.